Game rules

150 game cards:

The deck holds 150 cards: 5 cards of -2, 15 cards of 0, and 10 cards of each value from -1 to 12.

Game goal

The Skymo game is played over several rounds and ends as soon as a player reaches 100 points or more. The player with the fewest points wins the game.

Round preparation

First, each player is dealt 12 cards face-down. Next, one card from the draw pile is placed face-up in the middle of the table, forming the beginning of the discard pile. The remaining cards are placed face-down next to each other and form the draw pile.

Each player places their 12 cards in four columns of three cards face down in front of them. Finally, each player turns face-up two cards of their choice.

Round start

The player can choose the first card turned over from the discard pile (choice 1) or the first face-down card of the draw pile (choice 2).

Choice 1: Take the first card from the discard pile. The player must immediately swap this card with one of their 12 cards and place it face up. They can choose freely between face-up and face-down cards. Hidden cards must not be seen before the exchange. The exchanged card is placed face-up on the discard pile.

Choice 2: Take the first card face down from the draw pile. The player can look at the card and choose whether to exchange it for one of their cards (hidden or visible) or discard it. If they want to keep the drawn card, they exchange it with one of their cards as described above in the Choice 1. If they do not wish to keep the drawn card, they place it on the discard pile and must turn face-up one of their cards.

His turn is then over, and it's the next player's turn (clockwise).

Special rule: If a player has 3 identical cards in a column, the player discards these 3 cards by placing them on the discard pile. If a column of identical cards is obtained by exchanging with a card from the draw pile or discard pile, the three identical cards must always be placed on the discard pile after the exchanged card.

End of the round

When a player has revealed all their cards, they have played their last turn.

All subsequent players play once more to complete the round.

Scoring

Players who still have cards face down turn them face up. Each player counts their total points.

  • If the total of points is positive, they add it to the total of points from previous rounds.
  • If the total is negative, it is subtracted from the total points of the previous rounds.

If the player who has completed the round (the first to have turned over all their cards) has not obtained, strictly speaking, the lowest number of points for that round, then the sum of their points for that round is doubled.

Please note: this rule only applies to positive points!

Example: Player A reveals all their cards and finishes the round. At the end of the round, they have 10 points, player B has 24 points and player C also has 10 points. As player A does not strictly have the lowest number of points, their points are doubled to 20.

End of game

At the end of each round, each player's points are added to the total score obtained in the previous rounds. The game ends as soon as a player reaches 100 points or more. The player with the lowest score wins the game.

Custom rules

The host sets the game up before starting it. Most online card games freeze their rules; here everything is changed from the lobby.

  • Clear three identical cards in a column, by default, and in a row too if you turn it on.
  • Shrink the grid below the default 3 rows by 4 columns.
  • Choose how many cards are turned face up at the start, 2 by default.
  • Set the score that ends the game, 100 points by default.
  • Choose the penalty for the player who ends a round without the strictly lowest score: multiplier, flat penalty, or both.
  • Play with 2 to 8 players.
  • Show or hide the running score.
  • Reshuffle the seating order every round, every game, or never.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to play Skymo?
Each player gets 12 face-down cards laid out in four columns of three, and turns two of them face up. On your turn, draw from the deck or take the top of the discard pile, then swap it with one of your cards, or discard it and flip one face-down card. Cards are worth their face value, from -2 to 12. Three identical cards lined up in a column clear that whole column. The round ends as soon as a player has turned over all 12 cards, and the lowest score wins.
How to win at Skymo?
To win at Skymo, it's essential to have the lowest score possible. To achieve this, adopt a balanced strategy between having the lowest cards, revealing your cards, and creating columns of identical cards. Avoid flipping first unless you're significantly ahead with visible cards. Remember to keep already visible cards to try to create columns with them, rather than optimizing them individually.
How many cards are in the game?
The deck holds 150 cards. Each player is dealt 12 of them at the start of every round, whatever the number of players at the table.
How many cards of each value are there?
There are 5 cards of -2, 10 cards of -1, 15 cards of 0, and 10 cards of each value from 1 to 12. That adds up to 150 cards.
Who goes first?
The player whose two face-up cards add up to the highest total starts. If two players tie, the one holding the single highest card opens the game.
What happens in case of a tie?
Two players tied on total score finish at the same rank, there is no tiebreaker. Within a round, though, the player who ends it must have the strictly lowest score: otherwise their round score is doubled, unless it is negative.
Do I need an account to play Skymo?
No, you can play immediately as a guest without creating an account. An optional free account lets you track your stats and appear on the leaderboard.
How many players can play at the same time?
Skymo supports 2 to 8 players per game. You can create a private game and invite friends, or join a public game to play with other players online.
How long does a typical game last?
A full game usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on the number of players. Each round lasts a few minutes, and the game ends when a player reaches 100 points.
What happens if a player disconnects during a game?
If a player disconnects, the game continues without them. They can rejoin the game within a limited time. If they don't reconnect, they forfeit the game.
Is Skymo free to play?
Yes, Skymo is free to play. There are no hidden fees, no ads, and nothing you can buy gives an advantage in a game. Just open your browser and start playing.
What browsers and devices are supported?
Skymo works on all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on desktop, tablet, and mobile. No download or installation is required.
How do you pronounce Skymo?
The word Skymo is pronounced [Skimo].
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